Report: Hire contractor to run Lynnwood golf course

LYNNWOOD — A consultant paid to analyze Lynnwood’s struggling golf course operations is scheduled to present his findings at a City Council meeting Wednesday night.

The consultant recommends the city hire a private contractor to run the course, a move supported by the city parks director, according to a draft of the 54-page report posted to the city’s website.

The report also notes that the course is well-designed, popular with older golfers and female golfers, and has a good location. It recommends making improvements, including adding parking spaces, a better-looking, easier-to-navigate entrance and a snack bar. It recommends against building a new clubhouse due to cost concerns.

City leaders have been mulling the future of the golf course for months now, ever since the course’s finances were questioned by the state Auditor’s Office in 2012.

In May, Lynnwood’s council decided to keep the golf course and ponder the contracting option awhile longer.

The meeting is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall. It’s a work session, so binding decisions aren’t likely.

The consultant’s report was estimated to cost up to $10,000, according to an early quote. In Snohomish County, Lynnwood and Marysville run their own golf courses. Everett and Snohomish County contract out for course operations.

About half of the Lynnwood course’s players come from Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace, Shoreline and the north Seattle area, according to the report. About 30 percent of its golfers are from Lynnwood and Everett.

A private company would be better poised to increase course revenues and make improvements than the city, the report said.